Jeddah (GNP): A record 12 films supported by the Red Sea Film Foundation have entered the race for Best International Feature Film at the 99th Academy Awards. The films represent 12 countries across Saudi Arabia, the Arab world, Africa and Asia.
Eleven of them were chosen as official submissions by their own countries. They are A Matter of Life and Death, Roqia, Soumsoum the Night of the Stars, The Stories, Guria, Four Seasons in Java, Sink, Strawberries, Ben’Imana, We Are All Strangers and The Other Side of the Sun.
The twelfth, Angh, took a different route. It won the Platform Award at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). Under new rules for the 99th Academy Awards, winners of that award and a select group of other international festival prizes can submit their films directly to the category.
Angh’s win reflects a strong run for the Foundation’s films on the festival circuit. At TIFF, the Foundation had its largest-ever presence, with eight supported films in the programme. Earlier in the year, Ben’Imana won the Caméra d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, and it is now Rwanda’s official Oscar submission. Films backed by the Foundation also featured at Venice this year.
Foundation CEO Faisal Baltyuor called the moment one of extraordinary pride. He noted that the Red Sea Fund backs a broad slate of films every year, and that twelve reaching the Oscar race is a landmark result.
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He said being picked by their countries is a major recognition in itself for the eleven official submissions. In his view, it reflects the talent and the stories emerging from Saudi Arabia, the Arab world, Africa and Asia. He added that it has been a privilege to be part of the filmmakers’ journeys and wished them every success.
The next milestones are already set. The shortlist for Best International Feature Film will be announced on 15 December 2026, followed by the nominations on 21 January 2027. The 99th Academy Awards ceremony will take place in Los Angeles on 14 March 2027.
Baltyuor said, “It reflects the growing impact of our commitment to empowering filmmakers.”
